Airfares double amid Eid rush

Sohel Hossain Patwary
14 June, 2018 12:00 AM

Airfares for domestic routes mark a steep rise as the holidaymakers are preparing to fly out during the Eid holidays.

Tickets of local airlines operating flights on seven domestic routes are almost sold out and the last-minute ticket seekers are paying double the usual fares.

In addition to the regular flights, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines and Novoair got the approval for operating 63 additional flights to meet the growing demand of holidaymaker during the Eid-ul-Fitr.

Although the airlines are operating additional flights, the demand is still quite high for this luxury and quickest mode of transportation, said the travel agents.

Airlines sources said the demand for air tickets for travelling on 13-15 June was much higher than usual, forcing the passengers to pay almost double the regular fares.

Those who bought tickets earlier got the ticket at lower prices, but the last-minute ticket seekers had to face extra airfare, market insiders said.

Airlines sources said the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) approved the national carrier to operate four additional flights while US-Bangla Airlines got approval for operating maximum 35 additional flights and Novoair got permission for operating 24 extra flights during the Eid rush.

It was learnt that passengers are charged between Tk 5000-8000 per one-way ticket on Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route which usually remains below Tk 5000. Airfares for a one-way travel on Dhaka-Chattogram route soared to Tk 6000-10,000. Similarly, airliners are changing Tk 5000-7000 on Dhaka-Sylhet route, Tk 6000-10,000 on Dhaka- Saidpur route, Tk 6,000-8,000 on Dhaka-Jessore route and Tk 5000-8,000 on Dhaka-Barisal route.

US-Bangla Airlines spokesperson Kamrul Islam said they are operating 12 flights on Dhaka-Saidpur route, 17 on Jessore route, four on Rajshahi and two on the Barisal route during the Eid in addition to 47 regular flights from 7 to 15 June.